LEARNING THEORIES Cognitive vs. Behavioral Jerilyn Ramirez EDTC 3320

Introduction  Behaviorism and cognitivism are two major psychological perspectives that have dominated how learning has been viewed throughout the 20 th century and into the 21 st century (Brown, A., & Green, T. D.,2011). Behaviorist believe that learning is due to change in behavior as a result of experience, whereas cognitivist exemplify that learning is a change in mental representations and associations resulting from experience. We will take a look into how two selected learning theories have impacted adult education/training programs.

Jerome Bruner Jerome Bruner Bibliography. (n.d.). Magick, wicca, paganism and other esoteric knowledge. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from

Jerome Bruner cognitive theorist (1915-)  In 1937, Bruner received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Duke University, and in 1941, Bruner received a doctorate in psychology from Harvard University(Wikipedia, 2014).  In 1945, as a psychology professor in Harvard, Bruner was heavily involved in research relating to cognitive psychology and educational psychology. In 1970, Bruner left Harvard to teach at the University of Oxford in England. He returned to the United States in 1980 to continue his research in developmental psychology.  Bruner currently teaches students today at New York University since 1991.

Bruner’s Contributions  In 1956, Bruner published a book A Study of Thinking which formally initiated the study of cognitive psychology.  Bruner helped found the Center of Cognitive Studies at Harvard.  He wrote in Process of Education that 'knowing how something is put together is worth a thousand facts about it (Bruner, 2015).  In 1966, Bruner published another book relevant to education, Towards a Theory of Instruction.

Bruner’s Theory of Instruction Bruner argues that the theory of instruction should address four major aspects:  Predisposition toward learning  The ways in which a body of knowledge can be structured so that it can be most readily grasped by the learner  The most effective ways in which to present the material  The nature and pacing of rewards and punishments Bruner's learning spiral The Spiral of Learning. (n.d.). The Spiral of Learning. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from learningforhealthcare.org.uk/data/scorm/decompressed/MLE_01_ 001_server2_ /d/ELFH_Session/7/tab_1465.htmlhttps://e- learningforhealthcare.org.uk/data/scorm/decompressed/MLE_01_ 001_server2_ /d/ELFH_Session/7/tab_1465.html

Bruner’s Theory of Instruction Cont’d Teaching and Learning: My Perspective: Constructivism: Jerome Bruner's Constructivist Theory. (n.d.). Teaching and Learning: My Perspective: Constructivism: Jerome Bruner's Constructivist Theory. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from

Edward Thorndike. (n.d.).. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from

Edward Thorndike Behavioral Theorist ( )  In 1891, Thorndike graduated from The Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and in 1895 from Wesleyan University, he earned a B.S. In 1897, he earned an M.A. at Harvard University(Wikipedia, 2015).  In 1898 he completed his PhD at Columbia University under the supervision of James McKeen Cattell, one of the founding fathers of psychometrics.  He remained for the rest of his career, studying human learning, education, and mental testing at Teachers College at Columbia University.  In 1937, Thorndike became the second President of the Psychometric Society.

Thorndike’s Contributions  Thorndike’s work on the learning process and comparative psychology led to the theory of connectionism.  He helped lay the scientific foundation for modern educational psychology.  During World War I for the U.S. Army, he created both the Alpha and Beta versions that led to today's ASVAB, a multiple choice test administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command to determine qualification.  Thorndike's major contributing theory: Primary laws of learning.

Thorndike’s Primary Laws of Learning Theory Thorndike's major contributing theory: Primary laws of learning. Thorndike's behaviorist theory possesses three laws which result in learning  Law of Effect: Behaviors and responses that are rewarded will become strengthened and habitual (Thorndike, 2015).  Law of Readiness: It is possible to link together a series of responses which will ultimately satisfy an end goal. If a link in the series is interrupted, the individual will experience a sense of annoyance.  Law of Exercise: Responses to stimuli become strengthened through practice and weakened when not practiced.

Impact of Instruction on Training  In general, it is the collective process trainers take to deliver a training. Many more theories have been developed after influencing today’s process.  Instructional designers perceive thinking as a complex process that includes various interconnected elements and cannot be encapsulated in one description (Brown, A., & Green, T. D., 2011).  This view has been shaped by centuries of thought and study conducted by philosophers and psychologist on thinking and how the mind works (Brown, A., & Green, T. D., 2011).

Impact of Primary Laws of Learning on Training  Although all three laws are effective, the main law of Primary Laws of Learning that impacts training, is the Law of Exercise.  Every effective trainer knows that drill or practice helps in increasing efficiency and durability of learning during a training.  Whether it be a small quiz, an small assignment, or a discussion topic, the trainer or teacher implements this law occasionally.

Summary: Application of Learning Theories on Adult Education Bruner’s Theory of Instruction is not to teach information by rote learning, but instead to facilitate the learning process.  Now a teacher will design lessons that help student discover the relationship between bits of information. Thorndike’s Primary Laws of Learning Theory includes the need of exercise and repetition of various movements and actions many times in adult human learning.  Many examples of this case are learning to drive a motor- car, typewriting, singing or memorizing a poem or a mathematical, etc.

Works Cited  Brown, A., & Green, T. D. (2011). Chapter 2: Understanding How People Think and Learn. The essentials of instructional design: connecting fundamental principles with process and practice (2nd ed., ). Boston: Prentice Hall.  Edward Lee Thorndike. (2015, February 12). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from  Edward Thorndike. (n.d.). - Law of Effect. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from  Jerome Bruner. (2014, December 7). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from  Jerome Bruner and the process of education. (n.d.). infedorg. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from education/ education/